Now is not the time to make big taxing decisions any more than the middle of a roller coaster ride would be the time to decide to begin eating. Within six months, we have soared to the top of the colossus, then zoomed to the dizzying depths of a gasoline valley. We don't know what is next. Let things settle a little while people get their land legs again.

Imagine the fix we would be in today if gas taxes had been, for a while, tied to the price of gas, like a sales tax. The sudden drop in gas prices would have had a devastating effect on the state budget — worse than what we're seeing now. Sales taxes are volatile. Governments can't rely on them very well in tough times.

Yes, the Mountain View Corridor is an important highway for the future flow of goods and services along the Wasatch Front. But if the economy slows, the need slows, as well.

But don't worry. Once the economy turns, I'll be back to wake you up again.

Jay Evensen is editor of the Deseret News editorial page. E-mail: even@desnews.com. Visit his blog at www.deseretnews.com/blogs.